by David Jones, USA TODAY Sports

by David Jones, USA TODAY Sports

GAINESVILLE -- Former Florida and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Chris Rainey on Thursday pled no contest to disorderly conduct charges to settle his case from an early January arrest involving a dispute with his girlfriend.

Rainey was the subject of national attention while at Florida when in September of 2010 he sent the text "Time to Die'' to a female friend after they got into a dispute. He was dismissed from the Gators' squad as well but after pleading to a misdemeanor stalking charging, paying fees and attending counseling he was reinstated to the team less than a month later. As part of the agreement, charges were eventually dropped for meeting requirements set.

This incident happened when he was seen in an altercation with his current girlfriend, who almost immediately pled that it was all a misunderstanding by bystanders when they were seen together in a car in Gainesville.

The charges were reduced to disorderly conduct because the alleged victim denied being battered. Neutral witnesses, according to Gainesville State Attorney Bill Cervone, were contradictory as to whether or not battery actually happened.

But it was beyond a dispute in that there was public disturbance caused by the argument.

When Rainey was arrested in the case, the Pittsburgh Steelers almost immediately released the rookie. He was originally charged with one count of simple battery. The Steelers took Rainey in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He had 102 yards rushing, caught 14 passes as mostly a third down back and kick returner -- averaging 26.5 yards on 39 kickoff returns.

Witnesses originally told police that Rainey slapped the girl in the face with an open hand. Once again, Rainey's problems also involved a cell phone.

"Both Rainey and the female victim then fell to the ground,'' a portion of the police report said. "The victim was able to run away, but Rainey chased after her because his cell phone was in a bag the victim was carrying. Rainey grabbed the bag again and they both fell to the ground again. Neither party suffered visible injuries from the encounter. Multiple witnesses confirmed the incident.''